Month: March 2024

Report by Chris S
Four wheelers, Mark, Chris, Neil and Clive met up at PC for the ride to East Rudham picking up a fifth wheeler, Ian, some two miles into the route. Weather conditions were for once very favourable with a very light almost non existent south easterly breeze, a temperature ranging between 9 and 12 degrees Celsius and even some sunshine!
The outward route was uneventful apart from Mark spotting some Llamas/Alpacas in a field and took the group through Edgefield, Briston, Hindolveston, Fulmodeston, the Ryburghs, East Raynham and onto East Rudham.
Biagio’s café was busy due the Easter bank holiday weekend. Luckily we were able to get a table inside and have a light lunch.

Shortly into the return journey Ian, the Wheeler’s resident ornithologist and also photographer, spotted a bunch of twitchers on the roadside and stopped to speak to them. He was very disappointed to learn that he had missed seeing a Rustic Bunting by about twenty minutes. Anyway just for Ian here is a picture of a Rustic Bunting (not to be confused with a Reed Bunting, Little Bunting or a Common Sparrow) so all is not lost!

The ride continued onto Whissonsett and Bintree where a short detour was taken to see Bintree Mill. Water levels were still high, but the mill and the water meadows looked idyllic in the sunshine with hundreds of daffodils in full bloom.

The remaining route passed through Guestwick, Corpusty (where Neil left the group as we passed the end of his road), and North Barningham. Ian and Clive then turned left into Mill Road heading back to High Kelling and Blakeney respectively. This left Mark and Chris to complete the ride returning to PC.

Riders: Mark M, Neil Mc, Chris S, Clive A and Ian A
Total Distance 62 miles. Average speed 15.35mph

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 3rd April – Skeyton Goat
Saturday 6th April – Chrysalis Café, Sparham Hill
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

Report by Ride Leader Mark M
Another windy and chilly morning greeted the three Wheelers meeting at PC. Today it was a strong southerly wind that would make the outward leg hard work but promised an easier leg home.
We headed south through Gresham, Aldborough, Erpingham to Colby then Banningham. Just north of Banningham we stopped at the scene of Brian P’s accident of Feb 24th to look for Andrew’s Buff that he had left behind in all the excitement and surprisingly he found it amongst the mud and weeds, a quick wash and it should be as good as new. We also noticed that the hole that Brian had hit, was now dry but still not filled in, instead it had a traffic cone dropped into it, which is better than nothing.
Then it was onto Buxton, Lamas, around the north of Coltishall, past Hoveton Hall to RAF Neatishead, where the Trimmingham Golf Ball radar has moved to, then a quick detour to Irstead Staithe to look at the boats.

From Neatishead village we had a tail wind and a fast and easy ride for the last four miles to the Crosskeys.
Both Graham A and Graham J were already at the pub, having taken a shorter but just as windy route south. The staff seemed surprised to see customers, they had no milk for coffee and the only menu was the Sunday roast menu. We all had a roast and between us had, beef, pork and chicken, which was presented well and filled us up.

Another time we will give the nearby Smallburgh Crown a try.
After lunch we headed north and did get a good tail wind as we went through Honing and along the Golden Mile to look at the daffodils. Unfortunately they were well past their best, so we didn’t stop for any photos this year. We skirted around North Walsham to Swafield, Bradfield and Thorpe Market to Hanworth, where both the Graham’s turned for home. The remaining three continued to Bessingham, Barningham Winter and to the top of Bodham hill, where Andrew and Clive turned for High Kelling and Blakeney and Mark finished the loop at PC.

PC to PC was 56 miles at 14.6mph average
Riders: Andrew B, Clive A, Mark M, Graham A and Graham J

Saturday 30th March – Biagios, East Rudham
Wednesday 3rd April – Skeyton Goat
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

The club was interviewed last week and the results will go out over the Easter Weekend, most likely on Good Friday to promote the club runs and time trials. Will post details here when we know the timings.

Ride Report by Mark M
With the High Kelling duo sending in sick notes and another Wheeler in Spain, it looked as if it would be just Neil Mc and Mark at PC for a windy and chilly ride. However, brand new Wheeler, Doug from Cromer chose today for his inaugural ride. After admiring his J.Guillem titanium bike and hearing about the many benefits of tubeless tyres, we set off on a mainly wind assisted south easterly route.
We went through Gresham, Metton, past Sally Bean’s House, North and South Repps, Trunch to Paston, before heading back inland for Witton and East Ruston Gardens. Then it was Lessingham and a fast run through to Sea Palling and Waxham Barn.
The roads were dry for a change and though we saw some very black clouds, it remained dry the whole way. The café was fairly quiet and we had a choice of tables inside. As usual the service was quick, the food very good and the cakes were enormous.
We had just about finished when Malcolm S arrived having had to deal with a lot more wind from Gt Yarmouth to Potter Heigham before turning for Hickling and Waxham, he also encountered a heavy rain and hail shower. So we had another mug of tea while we put the world to rights and Malcolm fought with his fried egg baguette.
So eventually we left, with Malcolm looking forward to wind assistance on his way home, while we had the prospect of a stiff head wind, which appeared as soon as we reached Sea Palling. It wasn’t far before we turned toward Hickling and then through Ingham.
Graham A had kindly forewarned me that the bridge between East Ruston and Honing was completely closed, so we took a diversion staying east until we could turn for Crostwight to pick up the route again.

It was here that Doug showed us how to plug a tubeless tyre when the sealant doesn’t seal. I will admit that it was quicker than changing a tube, though we didn’t have an opportunity to show him a tube change. We also had a brief rain and hail shower while we were stopped.

Our route then took us along the North Walsham road for Swafield and Bradfield. Here we changed from the planned route of Thorpe Market and north of Gunton Park to take the Suffield route south of the park. So we sent Doug on a direct north route through the Repps again back to Cromer.
Neil and I parted ways outside Aldborough, with Neil heading for Mannington and Saxthorpe, while I rejoined the route at Bessingham for Gresham and PC.

PC to PC was 61.8 miles at an average of 14.9 mph
Riders: Neil Mc, Doug, Mark M, Malcolm S

Hopefully Doug will recover from his first Wheelers ride and will join us again before too long.

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 27th March – Crosskeys, Dilham
Saturday 30th March (Easter) – Biagios, East Rudham
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

Report by Ride Leader Ian A
Due to holidays, the onset of a cold and an aversion to getting wet, numbers were limited today. And so it was on a mild but damp morning that promised a few showers, Mark met himself at PC. He set off skirting David and Victoria (aka The Beckhams) then via Lower Bodham to pick up Ian at the pre-arranged meet by the A148 at High Kelling.
The route took the duo past Holt RFC, over the NNR bridge and onto Blakeney via Newgate and Wiveton. After a quick pause to admire the (very quiet) quayside, we detoured to have a look at Andrew’s (intended) new abode. A nice spot and looks great for a housewarming/Summer BBQ party(?) We’ll add it to the list… We then rode up to Langham, south through Field Dalling and on to Sharrington.
It was clearly ‘Sharrington in Bloom’ as the mass of celandine and daffodils was impressive. We then looped north to Saxlingham and round to Natural Surroundings, the cafe in Bayfield Park near Glandford.

It was only half full so we took advantage of the available luxuriant sofas in an alcove on the basis that, after looking at the clientele, we were probably the only people there who could fairly easily get out of them. The food is more generous-snack-based rather than lunches but we were happy with our choices of double cheese on toast with jalapenos and a tuna mayo panini. Tasty and arrived promptly. And it’s reasonably priced.

When we set off we’d clearly missed a bit of rain while we were inside but apart from a very short sprinkling on the way to the cafe we remained dry all day. The route after lunch took us through Letheringsett, crossing the A148 (fortunately very quiet) then south to Briningham (skirting Sharrington again), Brinton, Melton Constable and Hindolvesten. In the grounds of Briningham House (sometimes known as the Hall and built in 1838) there were sheep and our first sighting of spring lambs.

We then turned east to head through Nethergate, Thurning and on to and through Heydon Park. Then it was north-east through Oulton, Itteringham, Wickmere and Thurgarton, then swinging north to Bessingham and onto Gresham where Ian diverted up Holt Road to head back to High Kelling, leaving Mark to head back to PC and Sheringham.

Apart from the lambs, other notable wildlife included two mad hares (well it is March), many young piglets and an almost constant chorus of skylarks and chiffchaffs. Nice.

PC to PC was 50.5 miles at 14.4mph average.
Riders: Mark M and Ian A (leading)

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 23rd March – Dunes Café, Waxham
Wednesday 27th March – Crosskeys, Dilham
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

Ride Report by Neil Mc
Four Wheelers met at Pretty Corner on a cool, calm Saturday morning. The weather was forecast as dry and thankfully it remained that way all day, which was a pleasant relief after the many soakings of 2024 so far.

The ride was to “Un Cafe” at Beeston St Andrew Garden Centre, a new venue to all riding. The outward route went via Gresham, Bessingham, Adborough and down to Ingworth where we turned east to cross the A140 and on to Banningham. Much care was taken to avoid flooded potholes after Brian’s recent mishap just north of Banningham.

After Banningham we went through Skeyton to Scottow and then doglegged round through Market Street to cross the railway and pass through Coltishall and Horstead where we took to the lanes again. We kept off the North Walsham road by taking a route out the back of Crostwick, but finally had to pop out opposite Spixworth and join the B1150 down to the Broadland Northway. The traffic wasn’t too bad as it turned out, but it was a bit tedious waiting for a safe gap to cross the Northway via the central cycle refuge. Fortunately the garden centre was very close to the junction so we were there very shortly afterward.

The cafe was a pleasant surprise, nicer than a standard garden centre and bustling with other patrons. We found Graham A and Neil S there already having ridden independently to the main group. The food was tasty with a good choice of light meals and cakes at a reasonable price. We arrived with the lunchtime rush so service was a little slow, but they managed to catch up and we weren’t forgotten.

Graham and Neil left before the group to make their own way back, the rest of us departed on the B1150 toward Norwich. Soon a right onto Beeston lane took us on to Buxton Road where we headed north again to take the bridge over the Northway and pass west of Spixworth. This was a much nicer (and safer) way to cross the Northway and it would make sense to use this both ways to the cafe in future.

The return took a quick route through Hainford, Stratton Strawless, Buxton and Brampton where we turned west to cross the A140 just before Marsham. A swift run through Eastgate, Cawston and up to Heydon followed where Neil Mc left to head for home. The remaining group rode through Heydon Park on to Oulton, Itteringham and then back to PC via Barningham Winter and Red Barn Lane.

PC to PC 56 miles at 15.7 mph average
Riders: Ian A, Chris S, Mark M, Neil Mc with Graham A and Neil S riding independently.

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 20th March – Bayfield Hall, Glandford
Saturday 23rd March – Dunes Café, Waxham
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

Report by Ride Leader Chris S
Three Wheelers, Chris S, Mark M and Graham A, met up at PC on a dry and warmer than average but very windy Wednesday. The wind was south westerly so pretty much a head on wind on the outgoing journey.

Ian A joined the ride at the end of Red Barn Lane. The group then continued into the strong wind through Little Barningham to Saxthorpe where it was agreed due to the wind strength and average speeds that Graham would continue on a more direct route to Elsing. Ian A also left the group to do a shorter ride taking him through Guestwick and back to High Kelling as he needed to conserve his strength for a game of golf on Thursday.

This left Chris and Mark to continue through Corpusty, Cawston, Brandiston and Lyng to the Lemon & Rosemary Yard at Elsing where Graham was already waiting.

After a light lunch the three Wheelers made their way back initially still into the strong head wind as far as Swanton Morley. Just before Bintree, Chris decided to make a breakaway from the group due to some pressing matters at home. The ride continued to Foulsham, Guestwick, Briston and Baconsthorpe. Chris opted for the easy route via Upper Sheringham.

PC to PC 50 miles at 14.4 mph average
Riders: Chris S (leader for part of the ride), Mark M, Graham A & Ian A
Chris S – Average Speed & Total Distance 15.18mph – 54.6 miles

Don’t forget to order your discounted Club Kit by 20th March: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/2024/03/06/north-norfolk-wheelers-new-club-kit-special-offer/
NNW Kit Design: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/kalas-kit-design-2024.pdf

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 16th March – Un Café near Spixworth
Wednesday 20th March – Crosskeys, Dilham
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

Another dry and sunny morning though with a cold easterly wind, greeted three Wheelers at PC. They set off on mainly dry roads through Gresham and Bessingham to pick up Neil at Matlaske crossroads and then headed south via Itteringham, Cawston, the Witchinghams, with a stop to look at the flooded Wensum at Lenwade.
Then with the wind helping, we made brisk progress to Elsing, Swanton Morley, Hoe and the White Swan at Gressenhall. This community owned pub has been a Wednesday ride destination a couple of times and has always provided a friendly welcome and good food and drinks.

Today we went for the light lunch options and between us had soup and sandwiches, which were tasty though the soup could have been warmer. By the time we were ready to leave, the place had filled up, so a popular destination.

Our return leg took us through East Bilney to Brisley, Broom Green to Guist, where we now turned into the wind for Guestwick and Corpusty. We dropped Neil here and continued along the Matlaske road turning for Plumstead, where Ian turned off for Hempstead and home, leaving two to continue to Baconsthorpe, W Beckham and Upper Sheringham and home.

PC to PC 62 miles at 15 mph average
Riders: Ian A, Chris S, Mark M, Neil Mc

Don’t forget to order your discounted Club Kit by 20th March: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/2024/03/06/north-norfolk-wheelers-new-club-kit-special-offer/
NNW Kit Design: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/kalas-kit-design-2024.pdf

Report by Ride Leader Andrew B
Four riders met at Pretty Corner on a mild and dry morning to ride out to the Dial House Reepham. Unusually this was planned as a two pit stop strategy, with a mid-morning coffee break at Erpingham Village Hall. The route took us through Gresham, Metton (where we picked up Graham as pre-arranged), Hanworth, Thurgarton, Alby and onto Erpingham. The coffee stop opportunity had been spotted on a previous ride as a suitable location as they are holding charity coffee and cake mornings every Wednesday in the winter. This proved an excellent choice as we all enjoyed hot drinks and home-made cakes for less than £10 all in. Even better, Ian paid for it all as it was his birthday the next day! He certainly knows how to treat us

After coffee Chris had to leave us to complete the rest of the route alone as he had an urgent matter to sort out at home. The remaining four then followed the route through Ingworth, Blickling, Oulton Street and Cawston where we spotted another Wheelers group in All Things Nice. Following a quick chat, we then proceeded via. Eastgate, and Booton to Reepham (cutting about five miles of the planned route as we were running late by then). We all enjoyed some excellent food and drinks at the Dial House, which offered an excellent choice of cakes and snacks. As a bonus the sun had come out by then and we were able to sit outside. See photos below.

Following lunch we made our way back to PC via. Guestwick, Briston, Stody, Hunworth, Edgefield, Hempstead and onto Sellbrigg Pond where Andrew and Ian split off to go home, leaving Mark and Graham to complete the route. It was good to see Graham back to form.
Presumably Chris was the only rider to complete the planned route! Overall, a good ride despite some residual flooding, with no rain and even some sun.

PC to PC 48 miles
Average speed 14.1 mph
Total Elevation 1600 ft

Mark, Ian, Chris, Graham A and Andrew leading.